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HELENA, Montana (AP) Montana’s top prosecutor issued an opinion Thursday labeling critical race theory and some antiracism programs taught in schools as “discriminatory” and said they violate federal and state law.
Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s decision bans the activities which are also used for employee training in the state. It came after Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen requested earlier this month for Knudsen to weigh in on the issue.
Montana with the decision became the latest of several Republican – controlled states to decry critical race theory as an attempt to pit racial groups against each other and teach that certain groups are responsible for injustices of the past. Supporters of the theory say it is a way to look at how race and racism have shaped the nation.
Montana s top prosecutor BANS critical race theory from state s schools after warning that antiracism lessons are illegal and that they create a racially hostile environment
Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen labeled critical race theory and some antiracism programs taught in schools as discriminatory in an opinion
Knudsen s binding opinion states that certain activities that fall under the umbrella of critical race theory teaching violate the U.S. and state constitutions
They can no longer be taught in public schools, or to state workers
Montana joins several other states- including Tennessee, Idaho and Oklahoma- in banning critical race theory in public schools
AG Knudsen Issues Binding Opinion on Critical Race Theory
Knudsen looked at the theory itself before he issued his binding opinion.
“Critical Race Theory is a very controversial, very progressive racial theory primarily coming out of the east and west coasts,” said Knudsen. “It’s very radical and controversial, and so we were asked to take a look at the legality of it, and how and if it could be implemented in the Montana education system.”
Knudsen explained the focus of his binding opinion.
“We’ve issued it; it’s official,” he said. “It has the force of law right now up and until it is overturned, but basically what we came up with is that it is blatant racism. Critical Race Theory has no place in Montana. It cannot function with Montana law and the Montana Constitution and the federal Constitution. It’s a violation of equal protection on a number of fronts and it really has no place in our society in America, and certainly not in Montana.”